The Guam Art eXhibit, or GAX, opening Saturday night will feature local talent that not only celebrates contemporary art, but also fosters collection consciousness for the Guam community. A few artists share what influences their art and how Guam inspires them to create.

Liam Padua

Liam Padua has won about a dozen local art competitions and done commissioned work for clients in the Philippines — all before his 11th birthday. Currently a sixth-grader at St. Anthony Catholic School, Padua started drawing at age 3.

His first masterpiece was a drawing of SpongeBob Squarepants, his favorite cartoon at the time.

“We couldn’t believe that he actually drew it,” says his father, Leonard Padua. “He drew an actual SpongeBob. ... Just by looking at something, he was able to draw it and make it his own.”

Liam Padua, 10, at work. Padua has been creating artwork since he was 3. His work, "Howler's Vision" will be featured in the Guam Art eXhibit opening Sept. 16, 2017.(Photo: Courtesy of Leonard Padua)

Padua went on to join his first art competition at age 5. Most recently, he won the Sanctuary Inc. logo competition and a Pay-Less “Design a Bag Contest.”

Padua’s entry into GAX is “Howler’s Vision,” a piece that Padua hopes will raise awareness about Guam’s boonie dog population.

“All dogs have a spirit, they have feelings and people should love them and care,” says Padua.

“Howler’s Vision” is stylistically similar to work from Pablo Picasso’s Cubism period. Padua considers Picasso a source of inspiration.

"Pablo Picasso’s artworks are very unique and original. I really liked how he used geometric shapes in his work,” says Padua.

Padua also challenges himself by working with new mediums. He recently taught himself how to use string art to create a portrait of Hello Kitty.

"I would say every artwork is challenging but it is really fun when you put more effort into it. The finishing product is really amazing."

Jerrold Castro

Jerrold Castro’s subjects are fierce and proud Chamorro people, yet the imagery is literally fractured with broken compositions. The effect is striking, as if looking into a shattered mirror.

Jerrold Dwayne Castro pictured before some pieces from his "Inafa’maolek" thesis project. Castro is currently finishing a Master's Degree in Fine Art in Painting and Drawing from the Academy of Art University. He is also serving in the U.S. Army as a Signal Officer.(Photo: Courtesy of Junedel Castro)

“I wanted to try to convey a sense of emotion that the Chamorro people want to express, but are conflicted between their Chamorro and colonial ideals,” Castro says.

Castro is currently finishing a master’s in fine art at the Academy of Art University. The work he contributed to GAX is a part of his thesis project, “Inafa'maolek.”

“I am in awe with how much the Chamorro people have endured and persevered through despite being subjected to so many influences from centuries of colonial occupation,” says Castro. “As I approach the end of my academic studies with regards to this project, I am filled with hope for the future of the Chamorro people's efforts in preserving, reclaiming, and redefining our culture."

Castro serves in the Army as a signal officer. He's currently stationed in Colorado Springs with his wife, Junedel Castro, and their three children. He cites his godfather, Ron Castro, and uncle, Ric Castro, as the most influential artists in his life.

Mighty Island

Composed of crisp and unflinching imagery, Mighty Island's film, "I Matai," which will be screened at GAX, immerses viewers into a little-known story from our past.

"I Matai," which translates to “The Dead," follows an ancient Chamorro death ceremony.

"I Matai was a beautiful accident. It kinda just happened. Nico and Kyle were in love with the idea of covering something we don't really hear about,” Nia says.

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A screenshot from the opening scene of "I Matai," a film about an ancient Chamorro ceremony, created by local film collective Mighty Island. The film will be shown on Saturday, Sept. 16 at the opening of the 10th Guam Art eXhibit. The film will be will be showing throughout the first week of GAX.(Photo: Courtesty of Kyle Perron)

According to Nico Serneo, the group developed the film over in-depth conversations with Joe and Ray Viloria at Saggan Kotturan Chamorro. The Viloria brothers shared their knowledge of ancient Chamorro weaponry and pre-colonial culture with Mighty Island to help the group portray the ceremony as authentically as possible.

Nico Serneo, Perron and Silva were classmates at Father Duenas Memorial School. Nico Serneo and Perron went on to attend schools in San Jose and San Francisco and got degrees in film production and editing.

After six years of freelance work, the filmmaking duo started going back and forth between the mainland and Guam determined to make original films. Their early work became cultural, capturing local artisans at work and daily island scenes.

"We just kinda all fell into it and we all have a good vibe,” Nia Serneo said, “I call them my brothers. It becomes this interesting dynamic where we all have our professional opinions, but we also have creative and artistic differences, and we also have this sibling rivalry. It creates an interesting, creative dynamic."

"I didn't think that kind of talent would be around Guam, especially sitting in the seat next to me in my chemistry class,” says Silva.

To see more of Mighty Island's work follow them on Instagram or check out their website.